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Salt River Police Chief Karl Auerbach (center left, in front of the microphone) leads a vigil in prayer in remembrance of Salt River tribal police Officer Clayton Townsend at Two Waters Courtyard in Scottsdale on Jan. 11, 2019. Townsend was killed while conducting a traffic stop along Loop 101 near Scottsdale. Thomas Hawthorne/The Republic

Vigil for Salt River tribal police Officer Clayton Townsend

Salt River Police Chief Karl Auerbach (center left, in front of the microphone) leads a vigil in prayer in remembrance of Salt River tribal police Officer Clayton Townsend at Two Waters Courtyard in Scottsdale on Jan. 11, 2019. Townsend was killed while conducting a traffic stop along Loop 101 near Scottsdale.
Thomas Hawthorne/The Republic

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Vigil for Salt River tribal police Officer Clayton Townsend

Salt River Police Chief Karl Auerbach (center left, in front of the microphone) leads a vigil in prayer in remembrance of Salt River tribal police Officer Clayton Townsend at Two Waters Courtyard in Scottsdale on Jan. 11, 2019. Townsend was killed while conducting a traffic stop along Loop 101 near Scottsdale.

Townsend left behind his wife, Deanna, and Brixton, their 10-month-old boy.

People from all over the Valley came in support of the Townsend family on Friday, to offer condolences and share stories about Townsend, who was described by many as the "hardest-working police officer in the department."

Chief Karl Auerbach, of the Salt River Police Department, called Townsend a guardian of the people, citing the showing of love for his wife and son that united the community.

"The outpouring of compassion, care and love from the community and citizens of Arizona has been overwhelming. It was such a blessing to see so many people here today to support both the police department and the Townsend family," Auerbach said.

Auerbach said the purpose of the vigil was to come together and unite the community in Townsend's honor.

"The fact that there were well over 500 people here today on a Friday evening to show the Townsend family that they were supported by their community is very moving," Auerbach said.

He urged those in attendance to keep the Townsend family in their prayers in the upcoming weeks, months and years.

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The Salt River police chief speaks to the media about Officer Clayton Townsend during a candlelight vigil.
Ellie Nakamoto-White, Arizona Republic

Multiple family members were on hand, including Townsend's wife, mother, aunt, siblings and cousins.

Toni Townsend, the officer's mother, spoke about how grateful she was for the support the family has received.

"It means the world to us. It's what allowed us to put one foot in front of the other and get through the day," she said.

Trey Townsend, the victim's brother, said Townsend had a tremendous impact upon anyone who was lucky enough to know him.

"Clayton was a fixer. He's looking down on me right now and giving me, as well as my family, strength," Townsend said.

Lt. Anthony Sandoval of the Salt River Police Department said he had known Townsend since the officer started working there about five years ago.

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"He was very passionate about what he did. He was a very proud father, Christian, a cancer survivor, and he treated everyone with respect. To summarize, he was just simply a good man," Sandoval said. "The kind of person one would want to come to their house in a time of need."

Sandoval agreed that the community support was especially touching.

"This support from the community means so much to everyone who works in the law. From the officers to the dispatcher who took the call," Sandoval said.

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A moment of silence is held at a vigil for Salt River tribal police Officer Clayton Townsend, who was killed Tuesday while performing a traffic stop.
Thomas Hawthorne, The Republic | azcentral.com

Dana Townsend, the victim's aunt, said the family had made a promise to one another in honor of her nephew.

"Our family promised each other we would always turn our phones off when we drive. If anyone can learn anything from this terrible nightmare, it's to not text and drive," she said.

Sandoval agreed, comparing the dangers of distracted driving to smoking for upcoming generations.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 3,477 people were killed in distracted-driving incidents in 2015, the most recent data available on its website.

"And the numbers keep going up," Sandoval said. "You're impaired while you're texting and driving because you don't have control of that vehicle."

As the night grew darker, the candles burned brighter.

"Remember that the candles represent the brilliant light that Clayton had. And for all the drivers out there, make sure that you drive and arrive safely," Auerbach said.

Services for Officer Clayton Townsend have been set for early next week.

A visitation will be held Monday from 6 to 8 p.m., for family, close friends and police, at Green Acres Mortuary, 401 N. Hayden Road in Scottsdale. At 8 p.m., the visitation will open to the public.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday. A procession of marked police vehicles will escort Officer Townsend's body to Christ's Church of the Valley, 7007 W. Happy Valley Road in Peoria, where the service is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., followed by honors for the fallen officer outside the church.

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Fallen East Valley police officers: Salt River tribal police Officer Clayton Townsend was fatally struck by a distracted driver on Jan. 8, 2019 during a traffic stop on Loop 101 near Scottsdale. The driver told Arizona DPS officials that he was texting and driving at the time of the crash. Salt River Police Department

Fallen East Valley police officers: Chandler police Officer David Payne was killed on Oct. 31, 2014, when his police motorcycle was struck by a drunken driver at the intersection of Chandler Boulevard and Pennington Drive. Chandler Police Department

Fallen East Valley police officers: Salt River police Officer Jair Cabrera, 37, was shot during a traffic stop near Pima and Chaparral roads on May 24, 2014. Cabrera was the first member of the Salt River Police Department to be killed in the line of duty, officials said. Salt River Police Department

Fallen East Valley police officers: Sean McKenzie, 41, who worked in the family-crimes unit at the Chandler Police Department for 12 years, was off-duty when he was killed March 15, 2014, in a motorcycle crash near Riggs Road and Arizona 347. Chandler Police Department

Fallen East Valley police officers: On Feb. 20, 2002, Sgt. Thomas Hontz was the first Scottsdale officer killed when he died during an accidental explosion during a training accident. Hontz, a 24-year veteran, was survived by his wife and three sons. Scottsdale Police Department

Fallen East Valley police officers: The first Chandler officer to die on the duty was Richard Felix, when he suffered heart failure on Sept. 9, 1995. He was found unconscious in his patrol car. City of Chandler

Fallen East Valley police officers: Mesa Officer Steve Pollard was killed in 1994 when he was struck by a vehicle after pulling over a suspected drunken driver. - Officer Down Memorial Page Officer Down Memorial Page

Fallen East Valley police officers: Officer Russell L. Duncan, 28, was accidentally shot to death in a training exercise by an Eloy police officer on Nov. 9, 1983, at the Central Arizona Law Enforcement Training Academy near Coolidge. City of Apache Junction

Fallen East Valley police officers: Tempe Marshal Cyrus Spangler was shot and killed in 1921 by two men when he responded to a robbery in progress at store at 6th Street and Mill Avenue. Officer Down Memorial Page